Worshipping Side by Side, Muslims and Christians Share a Mutual Respect

Jakarta Globe, Novri Lifinus, April 06, 2010

The Mahanaim Church and Al-Muqarrabien Mosque share more than just a wall.
(Photo courtesy of Asia Calling)

Every Sunday, on two sides of the same wall in Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok, foreheads touch the ground and palms are drawn together in prayer.

Inside the church the wall is white. On the other side, in the mosque, it is green.

While minority religious groups have been forced out of their villages and seen their churches burned to the ground by vigilante Muslim groups, the Mahanaim Church and Al-Muqarrabien Mosque share not only a wall, but a deep respect for each other’s faith.

The church holds its Sunday evening service at the same time as the Muslim call to prayer next door.

However, standing outside the two buildings, you can barely hear the worshippers. The mosque and church leaders have agreed not to use loudspeakers so they can both worship in peace.

The mosque and the church have coexisted for more than half a century and the communities of both enjoy a close relationship.

The church was built in 1950 by Christian sailors from North Sulawesi. Tatalede Barakati, an elder at the church, says they wanted to re-create the atmosphere of their village in the capital. Two years later the sailors donated the land next door for a mosque .

“We do social work and sometimes we have a market that sells cheap goods, for example, before Lebaran or Idul Fitri. In the past, we have provided free medication, hairlip operations and circumcisions. We do these activities to strengthen our ties in the community,” Tatalede said.

The tolerance between the two communities was put to the test in the 1980s.

Following the 1984 killing of hundreds of anti-government Muslim protesters by the Army during Suharto’s dictatorship, angry and frustrated Muslims lashed out at minority groups, including the Mahanaim Church.

Tatalede says that when a mob of 50 people attempted to burn down the church, some 100 local Muslims stood guard.

“We were safe because our Muslim friends guarded us,” Tatalede said.

This spirit continues today. During Christian holidays, Muslim youth guard the church.

Assyah Azis, from the Al Muqarrabien Mosque Foundation, says many admire the unique relationship between the mosque and the church.

“They also ask me why the church and the mosque got along so well. I just told them that the main thing is that we understand each other,” Assyah said.

In the current environment of religious tension — some 200 cases of religious violence were recorded in January — the Tanjunk Priok case is unique.

Adrianus Yakob, who has been going to the church for 46 years, wants the two places of worship to be recognized as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

But Assyah said there is nothing special about what is happening. The two communities are just being true to their religious teachings, she said.

“Allah teaches us to be at peace with other religions.... Let’s just follow what the prophet taught us,” Assyah said.

This article was first broadcast on Asia Calling, a regional current affairs program produced by Indonesia’s independent radio news agency KBR68H

Related Articles:

Seeking fair treatment for minorities

Intolerant Islamic groups versus religious minorities